JACKSON, MI — Teachers and staff rushed students out of Sharp Park Academy just before noon Tuesday after a fire started in an empty classroom.

Some students were out at recess. No one was hurt, and damage to the school, 766 Park Road, appears to be contained to surrounding classrooms and hallways.

"When I got here, you could see flames," said Jackson Police Sgt. David Stadelman, who was helping direct traffic and parents to their children. "The staff had everyone out of the building very quickly. They did a great job getting everyone out."

The fire started in a classroom on the east edge of the school. Jackson Fire Deputy Chief David Wooden said it appears to have started near a heater in the classroom. What caused the fire is still under investigation.

A teacher noticed the fire and attempted to put it out with an extinguisher, Wooden said. That failed, and the teacher pulled the fire alarm. Sharp Park Academy has 270 students in grades kindergarten through fifth. Spring Break starts Friday.

Students in the school rushed out to the playground on the northwest side of the school. Some students were already on the playground during recess, Wooden said. Teachers had students line up according to classes and took a count.

As firefighters from the Jackson and Summit Township departments rushed to the scene, they were notified that everyone was accounted for and out of the building.

"Which was a phenomenal feat by staff because we had kids out at recess and kids inside the building so it was challenging," Wooden said. "The school staff performed very well."

Firefighters broke out windows to ventilate the fire and went into the school to knock the flames down with water. Wooden said crews put out the fire quickly.

The area of classroom where the fire started sustained heavy damage. Smoke seeped throughout the building, but a majority of the smoke damage is confined to the east wing of the school, Wooden said. He estimated it might take a week to repair and clean.

"It's going to be all right," Wooden said to a group of students outside the school. "You might not be here for a few days."

It is still undetermined if classes would be able to resume on
Wednesday, but all parents will be updated, school officials said.